AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel has stated that the organisation "differs" with US President Donald Trump's use of the term "white genocide". In a recent interview on the Sunday Times Politics Weekly podcast, Kriel emphasized that AfriForum is committed to South Africa and wants to stay in the country. This statement comes after the US proposed resettling Afrikaners as refugees, prompting AfriForum to reaffirm its commitment to South Africa.
Kriel highlighted that AfriForum's response to the US proposal was to emphasize its dedication to the country. He said that while some individuals may choose to leave, the organisation respects that decision but will not be swayed. Kriel's comments were made during a wide-ranging conversation with Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma, covering various topics including farm murders and the organisation's stance on self-determination.
The debate over the term "white genocide" has created another problem, according to Kriel. He believes it can lead some people to downplay serious crimes against people living and working in farming communities. AfriForum has been calling for farm murders to be treated as a priority crime, as Kriel argues that the impact of violence should be considered in proportion to the size of the community affected.
Kriel's position puts AfriForum in an unusual position in relation to the Trump administration. Despite this, he stated that the organisation does not want to "pick a fight" with Washington over every issue. However, AfriForum believes it should engage with the US when American policy could affect South Africa, adopting a "South Africa first" approach.
Kriel also rejected the suggestion that AfriForum's position on self-determination amounts to a plan to break up South Africa. Instead, he described the organisation as supporting "grassroots federalism" or "community federalism", with greater responsibility and decision-making devolved to communities. Kriel emphasized that AfriForum is not a secessionist organisation.
Kriel discussed how AfriForum defines its constituency, stating that the organisation is primarily an Afrikaner organisation but works with other cultural and traditional communities. He believes that practical co-operation between communities can help address problems at a local level. Kriel also emphasized the importance of engaging with South Africa's past, particularly for younger generations to understand the country's history.
Kriel's conversation with Siluma covered a range of topics, including AfriForum's relationship with the Trump administration, farm murders, and the organisation's stance on self-determination. He also discussed how people should judge those who lived under apartheid, stating that violations of people's dignity in the past "should be condemned". However, he believes that people should be understood within the worldviews in which they were raised.
Key points
- AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel says the organisation differs with US President Donald Trump's use of the term "white genocide".
- AfriForum is committed to South Africa and wants to stay in the country.
- Kriel believes that practical co-operation between communities can help address problems at a local level.
